GUITAR CENTER INC
10-Q, 1997-11-14
RADIO, TV & CONSUMER ELECTRONICS STORES
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<PAGE>

                                 UNITED STATES 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                  FORM 10-Q


        (X)  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
             SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
             For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997

        ( )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
             SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
             For the transition period from             to 
                                           ------------   -----------


                         Commission File No. 000-22207

                             GUITAR CENTER, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------------
              (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

             DELAWARE                             95-4600862
             ------------------------------------------------------------
             (State or other jurisdiction of      (I.R.S. Employer
              incorporation or organization)       Identification Number)

             5155 CLARETON DRIVE
             AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA                    91301
             ------------------------------------------------------------
             (Address of principal executive officer)   (Zip Code)

                                  (818) 735-8800
             ------------------------------------------------------------
                Registrant's telephone number, including area code


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the 
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to 
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                       Yes  X       No
                                           ---         ---

As of November 4, 1997, 19,336,785 shares of the registrant's Common Stock, 
$.01 par value, were outstanding.

<PAGE>




                                 GUITAR CENTER, INC.
                                           
                                        INDEX
                                        -----


Part I.  Financial Information

  ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 

       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 1997 and
       December 31, 1996 .....................................................2

       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three months
       ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 .....................................3
     
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Nine months ended 
       September 30, 1997 and 1996 ...........................................4
        
       Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)- 
       September 30, 1997 ....................................................5

       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended 
       September 30, 1997 and 1996 ...........................................6

       Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements ................7-9
       
  ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ..........................................10-14

Part II. Other Information

         Item 1.  Not Applicable 
       
         Item 2.  Not Applicable

         Item 3.  Not Applicable

         Item 4.  Not Applicable

         Item 5.  Other Information .........................................15

         Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ..........................15

                                       1
<PAGE>

                                 GUITAR CENTER, INC.
                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (Dollars in thousands, except share data)

                                                    SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                        1997           1996
                                                    -------------   ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                          $   1,922      $      47
   Accounts receivable                                    5,170          4,062
   Merchandise inventories                               75,522         49,705
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets              2,998          1,455
                                                      ---------      ---------
Total current assets                                     85,612         55,269

Property and equipment, net                              20,672         14,966
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization                 3,931            432
Other assets                                              3,094          4,182
                                                      ---------      ---------
                                                      $ 113,309      $  74,849
                                                      ---------      ---------
                                                      ---------      ---------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                   $  14,542      $  14,005
   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities        14,604         10,292
   Line of credit                                             -          3,536
                                                      ---------      ---------
Total current liabilities                                29,146         27,833
Long term debt                                           66,667        100,000
Other long-term liabilities                                 940            645
Senior preferred stock, aggregate liquidating
  preference of $21,602 at December 31, 1996                  -         15,186
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
  Junior preferred stock; aggregate liquidating
   preference of $144,859 at December 31,                
   1996: authorized 5,000,000 shares of preferred 
   stock at September 30, 1997, none issued and 
   outstanding                                                -        138,610
  Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized
   55,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding
   19,329,079 at September 30, 1997 and
   3,622,804 at December 31, 1996                           193             36
  Warrants                                                6,500          6,500
  Additional paid in capital                            220,951         (6,966)
  Retained earnings (deficit)                          (211,088)      (206,995)
                                                      ---------      ---------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)                     16,556        (68,815)
                                                      ---------      ---------

                                                      $ 113,309      $  74,849
                                                      ---------      ---------
                                                      ---------      ---------

              See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
                                           
                                       2
<PAGE>

                                 GUITAR CENTER, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        (In thousands, except per share data)
                                           
                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                         SEPTEMBER 30, 1997   SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                         ------------------   ------------------

Net sales                                     $ 75,948             $54,361
Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy        55,151              39,088
                                               -------             -------
Gross profit                                    20,797              15,273

Selling, general and administrative             15,363              11,203
                                               -------             -------
Operating income                                 5,434               4,070

Interest expense, net                            1,896               3,059
Transaction expenses                                 -                 305
                                               -------             -------

Income before income taxes                       3,538                 706

Income taxes                                       255                   8
                                               -------             -------
Net income                                     $ 3,283             $   698
                                               -------             -------
                                               -------             -------

Income per share                               $  0.16             $  0.03
                                               -------             -------
                                               -------             -------

Weighted average shares outstanding             20,735              20,420
                                               -------             -------
                                               -------             -------

Pro forma data:
Income before income taxes                     $ 3,538             $   706
Pro forma income tax                             1,344                   -
                                               -------             -------

Pro forma net income                           $ 2,194             $   706

Senior preferred stock dividends                     -              (3,537)
                                               -------             -------
Pro forma net income (loss) applicable to 
   common Stockholders                         $ 2,194             $(2,831)
                                               -------             -------
                                               -------             -------

Pro forma net income (loss) per share
   applicable to common stockholders           $  0.11             $ (0.14)
                                               -------             -------
                                               -------             -------

Weighted average shares outstanding             20,735              20,420
                                               -------             -------
                                               -------             -------


              See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

                                       3

<PAGE>

                                  GUITAR CENTER, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        (In thousands, except per share data)
                                           

                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                          SEPTEMBER 30, 1997  SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                          ------------------  ------------------

Net sales                                     $  205,384          $  145,409
Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy         149,353             104,337
                                              ----------          ----------
Gross profit                                      56,031              41,072

Selling, general and administrative               40,494              29,521
Deferred compensation expense                          -             69,892
                                              ----------          ----------
Operating income (loss)                           15,537            (58,341)

Interest expense, net                              6,955              9,105
Gain on sale of asset                               (535)                 -
Transaction expenses                                 731              6,481
                                              ----------          ----------

Income before income taxes and 
   extraordinary loss                              8,386            (73,927)

Income taxes                                       1,963                139
                                              ----------          ----------
Income before extraordinary loss                   6,423            (74,066)
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment
    of debt, net of tax of $1,679                 (2,739)                 -
                                              ----------          ----------
Net income (loss)                             $    3,684         $  (74,066)
                                              ----------          ----------
                                              ----------          ----------
Income (loss) per share                       $     0.18         $    (3.63)
                                              ----------          ----------
                                              ----------          ----------
Weighted average shares outstanding               20,537             20,420
                                              ----------          ----------
                                              ----------          ----------
Pro forma data:
Income (loss) before income taxes             $    3,968         $  (73,927)
Pro forma income taxes                             1,508                  -
                                              ----------          ----------
Pro forma net income (loss)                   $    2,460         $  (73,927)

Senior preferred stock dividends                  (7,747)            (4,499)
                                              ----------          ----------
Pro forma net income (loss) applicable
    to common Stockholders                    $   (5,287)        $  (78,426)
                                              ----------          ----------
                                              ----------          ----------
Pro forma net income (loss) per share
   applicable to common stockholders          $    (0.27)        $    (3.84)
                                              ----------          ----------
                                              ----------          ----------
Weighted average shares outstanding               19,329             20,420
                                              ----------          ----------
                                              ----------          ----------

            See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.


                                      4

<PAGE>

                               GUITAR CENTER, INC.
                 CONDENSED STATEMENTS STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                              (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Junior                               Additional      Retained
                                      Preferred        Common                 Paid in        Earnings
                                        Stock           Stock    Warrants     Capital        (Deficit)       Total
                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
Balance at December 31, 1996           $  138,610    $     36    $  6,500    $  (6,966)    $  (206,995)   $  (68,815)

Sale of equity to management                  307           -           -            3               -           310

Conversion of junior preferred stock     (138,917)         93           -      138,824               -             -

Initial public offering                         -          77           -      107,494               -       107,571

Repurchase of management common
   stock                                        -         (13)          -      (18,404)              -       (18,417)

Senior preferred stock dividends paid           -           -           -            -          (7,777)       (7,777)

Net income                                      -           -           -            -           3,684         3,684
                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at September 30, 1997          $        -    $    193    $  6,500    $ 220,951     $  (211,088)   $   16,556
                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                   See accompanying notes to financial statements.
                                           

                                           5

<PAGE>

                                  GUITAR CENTER, INC.
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                (Dollars in thousands)

                                                NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     1997            1996
                                                   --------       --------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)                                  $  3,684       $(74,066)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) 
  to net cash provided by (used in) 
  operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                     2,222          1,551
    Deferred compensation  - repurchase of options        -         49,500
    Amortization and write-off of deferred 
    financing fees                                    1,303            108
    Gain on sale of property                           (535)             -
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, 
    net of effects from purchase of 
    Rhythm City, Inc.:
       Accounts receivable                           (1,108)        (1,085)
       Merchandise inventories                      (19,517)       (17,183)
       Prepaid expenses                              (1,543)          (937)
       Other assets                                    (214)          (556)
       Accounts payable                                 537         (2,859)
       Accrued expenses and other current 
        liabilities                                   3,512         (6,467)
       Other long term liabilities                      294            301
                                                   --------       --------
Net cash (used in) operating activities             (11,365)       (51,693)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of property                          893              -
Purchase of property and equipment                   (6,985)        (5,279)
Payment for purchase of Rhythm City, Inc., 
    net of cash acquired                            (10,300)             -
                                                   --------       --------
Net cash (used in) investing activities             (16,392)        (5,279)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Deferred financing fees                                   -         (3,585)
Net change in revolving debt facility                (3,536)         9,930
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                  -        100,000
Distribution of prior stockholder interests               -       (113,102)
Issuance of common stock                                  -          1,200
Issuance of junior preferred stock                        -         69,300
Issuance of senior preferred stock                        -         13,500
Issuance of warrants                                      -          6,500
Proceeds from sale of stock to management               310              -
Proceeds from initial public offering               107,571              -
Redemption of senior notes                          (33,333)             -
Redemption of management common stock               (18,417)             -
Redemption of senior preferred stock                (22,963)             -
Distributions to stockholder                              -        (28,057)
                                                   --------       --------
Net cash provided by financing activities            29,632         55,686

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                         1,875         (1,286)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year           47          1,338
                                                   --------       --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period         $  1,922       $     52
                                                   --------       --------
                                                   --------       --------
                   See accompanying notes to financial statements.


                                      6

<PAGE>

                                     GUITAR CENTER, INC.
                       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   General

     In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated 
     unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to 
     present fairly the financial position of Guitar Center, Inc., a Delaware 
     corporation, and its subsidiary ("Guitar Center" or the "Company"), as 
     of September 30, 1997, and the results of operations and cash flows for 
     the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.  The 
     accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 
     audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the 
     Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
     1996.     
               
     The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30,
     1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for 
     the full year.
               
2.   Initial Public Offering

     On March 19, 1997, the Company completed an initial public offering (the 
     "Offering") of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value ("Common 
     Stock"), pursuant to which it sold 6,750,000 shares of Common Stock and 
     received approximately $94.4 million in net cash proceeds (before 
     deducting expenses associated with the Offering).  On April 15, 1997, 
     the Company sold an additional 1,012,500 shares of Common Stock in the 
     Offering and received an additional $14.1 million in net cash proceeds 
     from the underwriters' exercise in full of their over-allotment option.  
     Upon consummation of the Offering, all of the outstanding shares of the 
     Company's 8% Junior Preferred Stock, $.01 par value ("Junior Preferred 
     Stock"), were automatically converted into shares of Common Stock at a 
     ratio of 6.667 shares of Common Stock for each share of Junior Preferred 
     Stock (the "Junior Preferred Stock Conversion"). No accrued and unpaid 
     dividends were paid on any shares of Junior Preferred Stock.  
     Approximately $23.0 million of the net proceeds from the Offering were 
     used to redeem, at a premium of 3%, all of the outstanding shares of the 
     Company's 14% Senior Preferred Stock, $.01 par value ("Senior Preferred 
     Stock").   As a result, the Company incurred a charge to dividends in 
     the first quarter of 1997 of $7.7 million for the difference between the 
     financial statement value of the Senior Preferred Stock and the face 
     amount thereof, plus premium. Approximately $9.7 million of the net 
     proceeds from the Offering were used to repay all amounts under the 
     Company's then existing bank facility.  In addition, the Company used 
     approximately $18.4 million to redeem approximately 1,317,000 shares of 
     Common Stock from management (the "Management Tax Redemption"). The 
     balance of the net proceeds was retained for general corporate purposes, 
     which has included the acquisition of two musical instrument stores in 
     the Atlanta, Georgia market in April 1997.
               
     Redemption of Debt
               
     Immediately following the Offering, the Company called for redemption, at 
     a premium of 10%, an aggregate of $33.3 million principal amount of 11% 
     Senior Notes due 2006 (the "Senior Notes"). On April 19, 1997, Company 
     used $37.9 million of the net proceeds from the Offering to redeem such 
     Senior Notes (the "Senior Note Redemption"), including payment of all 
     accrued and unpaid interest with respect to the Senior Notes called for 
     redemption. Accordingly, an extraordinary charge to operations of $4.4 
     million, net of tax of $1.7 million, was incurred in the second quarter 
     of 1997 equal to the premium paid on the Senior Notes plus the write off 
     of one-third of the unamortized deferred financing fees.


                                      7

<PAGE>
               
3.   1997 Credit Facility

     In the third quarter of 1997, the Company terminated its prior credit 
     facility and entered into a new $40 million secured revolving line of 
     credit (the "1997 Credit Facility") which is available through July 1, 
     2004.  The 1997 Credit Facility provides for revolving credit or term 
     loan borrowings up to $40 million in the aggregate.  Borrowings under 
     the 1997 Credit Facility bear interest at either the prime rate or at 
     LIBOR plus 1.5%, at the Company's option, with interest due monthly.  At 
     September 30, 1997, the Company did not have any outstanding borrowings 
     under the 1997 Credit Facility.
               
     Under the terms of the term loan and revolving line of credit 
     agreements, the Company is subject to various financial and other 
     covenants.  The Company was in compliance with such covenants at 
     September 30, 1997.
               
4.   Income Taxes

     Prior to June 5, 1996, the Company elected to be treated as an S 
     corporation for federal and state income tax purposes.  Pro forma 
     information has been provided to reflect the estimated statutory 
     provision for income taxes assuming the Company had been taxed as a C 
     corporation in 1996.
               
     As a result of the $72.4 million loss incurred in fiscal 1996, the 
     Company has a tax net operating loss carryforward for federal income tax 
     purposes aggregating $64.2 million, which will expire if unused in 2011. 
     As of September 30, 1997, the Company had fully reserved the related 
     deferred tax asset of $22.5 million.

5.   Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Per Share

     Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Per Share has been computed by dividing pro 
     forma net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares 
     outstanding during the period.  The pro forma net income (loss) per 
     share gives effect to: (i) the issuance of Common Stock sold in the 
     Offering, including the underwriters' over-allotment option; (ii) the 
     issuance of Common Stock upon the conversion of all outstanding shares 
     of Junior Preferred Stock in connection with the Offering; (iii) the 
     assumed issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of all outstanding 
     warrants and common stock equivalents; and (iv) the Management Tax 
     Redemption.
               
6.   Adjusted Income Per Share

     If the Offering, including the exercise of the underwriters' 
     over-allotment option, had been consummated on January 1, 1997, adjusted 
     income per share for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 would be 
     as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
               

     Income  to common stockholders per financial                $  (5,287)
       statements                                     
                                   
     Reduction of interest on debt assumed repaid, net of tax       (3,399)
     Reduction of Senior Preferred Stock Dividends                  (7,747)

     Adjusted net income                                         $   5,859
                                                                 ---------
                                                                 ---------
     Adjusted net income per share                               $    0.29
                                                                 ---------
                                                                 ---------
     Weighted average shares used in calculation                    20,537
                                                                 ---------
                                                                 ---------


                                      8

<PAGE>
      
     The adjusted income per share presentation set forth above gives effect 
     to the capitalization changes related to the Offering and the 
     application of the proceeds therefrom.  This data does not attempt to 
     give effect to any other pro forma adjustments, including (i) 
     non-recurring transaction expenses of $0.7 million  (or $0.04 per share) 
     related to payroll taxes incurred as a result of the Junior Preferred 
     Stock Conversion; (ii) any pro forma adjustments related to the 
     reduction in the compensation of the Company's former Chairman of the 
     Board subsequent to the Company's recapitalization on June 5, 1996 or 
     any other similar changes in selling, general and administrative 
     expenses; or (iii) any pro forma income taxes at an estimated effective 
     rate of 38%.  The foregoing data is presented solely to facilitate 
     further analysis of the Company based upon the assumptions indicated 
     above.  Such data is not necessarily indicative of the Company's results 
     of operations had the Offering occurred in the earlier period nor the 
     results expected in the future.
               
7.   Acquisition

     On April 16, 1997, the Company acquired Rhythm City, Inc. ("Rhythm 
     City"), the operator of two musical instrument retail stores in the 
     Atlanta, Georgia market.  Purchase consideration consisted of cash of 
     $10.3 million, subject to adjustment based on the actual level of 
     working capital on such date and other matters.  The Company accounted 
     for the acquisition using the purchase method and will amortize the 
     resulting goodwill over twenty years.  The purchase price included the 
     acquisition of the building and improvements of the flagship Rhythm City 
     store in Atlanta.  All of the debt and other liabilities of Rhythm City 
     were either repaid or assumed by the sellers prior to closing.  

8.   Impact of Recently Issued Pronouncements

     The Financial Accounting Standards Board has recently issued Statement 
     No. 128, "Earnings per share" ("FAS 128"), issued in March 1997 and 
     effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 1997.  The Company 
     will adopt FAS 128 in 1997.  FAS 128 introduces and requires the 
     presentation of "Basic" earnings per share which represents net earnings 
     divided by the weighted average shares outstanding excluding all common 
     stock equivalents. A dual presentation of "Diluted" earnings per share 
     reflecting the dilutive effects of all common stock equivalents, will 
     also be required.  The Diluted presentation is similar to the current 
     presentation of fully diluted earnings per share.  Management believes 
     the adoption of FAS 128 will not have a material impact on the Company's 
     results of operations.
               
     In June 1997, the FASB issued two additional statements, SFAS 130, 
     "Reporting Comprehensive Income" and Statement No. 131, "Disclosures 
     About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information."  Both are 
     effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.  Adoption 
     of these standards will not impact the financial results of the Company. 
                                   

                                      9

<PAGE>
               
ITEM 2.        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
               RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
               
OVERVIEW       

      Guitar Center operated 35 stores in 19 major markets as of September 
30, 1997.  From 1992 to 1996, Guitar Center's net sales and operating income 
before deferred compensation expense grew at compound annual growth rates of 
25.6% and 43.0%, respectively, principally due to comparable store sales 
growth averaging 14.8% per year and the opening of new stores.  The increases 
were principally attributable to increases in unit sales rather than 
increases in prices or changes in product mix. Management believes such 
volume increases are the result of the continued success of the Company's 
implementation of its business strategy, continued strong growth in the music 
products industry and increasing consumer awareness of the Guitar Center 
name.  The Company does not expect comparable store sales to continue to 
increase at historical rates.
               
      The Company opened seven stores in 1996 and, as of September 30, 1997, 
the Company had opened five new stores in 1997.  In April 1997, the Company 
purchased two additional stores and presently expects to open one additional 
store during the remainder of 1997.  In preparation for these new stores, 
management had dedicated a substantial amount of resources over the past 
several years to building the infrastructure necessary to support a large, 
national chain.  Management believes the infrastructure is in place to 
support its needs for the immediately foreseeable future, including its 
present expansion plans. The Company will continue to pursue its strategy of 
clustering stores in major markets to take advantage of operating and 
advertising efficiencies and to build awareness of the Guitar Center name in 
new markets.  In some markets where the Company has pursued its clustering 
strategy, there has been some transfer of sales from certain existing stores 
to new locations.  Generally, however, mature stores have demonstrated net 
sales growth rates consistent with the Company's average.  As the Company 
enters new markets, management expects that its will initially incur higher 
administrative and advertising costs per store than it currently experiences 
in established markets. 

      The following table sets forth certain historical income statement data 
as a percentage of net sales:
               
                                Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30,           September 30,
                                  1997      1996         1997        1996
                                --------   -------      -------     -------

Net sales                         100.0%    100.0%       100.0%      100.0%
Gross profit                       27.4      28.1         27.3        28.2
Selling, general, and 
administrative expenses            20.2      20.6         19.7        20.3
                                --------   -------      -------     -------
Operating income before deferred
   compensation expense             7.2       7.5          7.6         7.9
Deferred compensation expense         -         -            -        48.1
                                --------   -------      -------     -------
Operating income (loss)             7.2       7.5          7.6       (40.2)
Interest expense, net               2.5       5.6          3.4         6.3
Gain on sale of asset                 -         -         (0.3)          -
Transaction expenses and other        -       0.6          0.4         4.5
                                --------   -------      -------     -------
Income (loss) before income taxes
   and extraordinary item           4.7       1.3          4.1       (51.0)
Income taxes                        0.3         -          0.1         0.1
                                --------   -------      -------     -------
Net income (loss) before 
  extraordinary item               4.4%      1.3%         4.0%       (51.1)%
                                --------   -------      -------     -------


                                      10

<PAGE>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 
     SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

     Net sales of the Company increased to $75.9 million for the three months 
ended September 30, 1997, from $54.4 million for the comparable prior period, 
a 39.7% increase.  This growth was attributable to an increase of 13.6% in 
comparable store net sales which contributed $7.2 million, or 33.2%, of the 
total increase.  New store net sales accounted for the balance of the 
increase in net store sales.

     Gross profit dollars for the three months ended September 30, 1997 
compared to 1996 increased 36.2% to $20.8 million from $15.3 million.  Gross 
profit as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 
1997 and 1996 declined from 28.1% to 27.4%.  The decrease in gross profit 
percentage reflects the impact of operating fourteen stores opened since 
January 1, 1996 (out of the total store base of 35 stores), which typically 
experience lower gross profits than mature stores due to the leveraging of 
occupancy costs.  Comparatively, the third quarter of 1996 included the 
results of eight stores opened since January 1, 1995 (out of the total store 
base of 28 stores).

     Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended 
September 30, 1997 compared to 1996 increased 37.1% to $15.4 million from 
$11.2 million.  The increase in total selling, general and administrative 
expenses is a result of certain selling expenses incurred at the store level 
due to an increase in the number of stores in 1997 as compared to 1996.  As a 
percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses 
decreased to 20.2% from 20.6%.  The change in percentage of sales reflects 
the relatively fixed nature of certain general and administrative expenses 
and the effect of the increase in sales volume.

     Operating income before deferred compensation expense for the three 
months ended September 30, 1997 was $5.4 million compared to operating income 
of $4.1 million for the same three months of 1996, an increase of 33.5%.  The 
increase is principally the result of the increase in sales derived from both 
new and existing stores.  As a percentage of sales, operating income before 
deferred compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 1997 
was 7.2% compared to 7.5% in 1996.  The decrease is principally related to 
the decreased margins experienced in the third quarter of 1997.
     
     Interest expense, net for the three months ended September 30, 1997 
decreased to $1.9 million from $3.1 million in the same period of 1996.  The 
interest expense for the third quarter of 1996 and 1997 consisted of  
interest on the Company's Senior Notes.  On April 19, 1997, the Company 
redeemed, at a premium, $33.3 million principal amount of the Senior Notes. 

     Net income for the three months ended September 30, 1997 increased to 
$3.3 million from $0.7 million for the same period in 1996, principally as a 
result of the increase in sales and gross margin, partially offset by an 
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.
     
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 
     SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

     Net sales of the Company increased to $205.4 million for the nine months 
ended September 30, 1997, from $145.4 million for the comparable prior 
period, a 41.3% increase.  This growth was attributable to an increase of 
13.2% in comparable store net sales which contributed $18.9 million, or 
31.4%, of the total increase.  New store net sales accounted for the balance 
of the increase in net store sales.

     Gross profit dollars for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 
compared to 1996 increased 36.4% to $56.0 million from $41.1 million.  Gross 
profit as a percentage of net sales for nine months ended 


                                      11

<PAGE>

September 30, 1997 compared to 1996 decreased to 27.3% from 28.2% in the nine 
months ended September 30, 1996. The decrease in gross profit percentage 
reflects the impact of operating fourteen stores opened since January 1, 1996 
(out of the total store base of 35 stores), which typically experience lower 
gross profits than mature stores due to the leveraging of occupancy costs.  
Comparatively, the third quarter of 1996 included the results of eight stores 
opened since January 1, 1995 (out of the total store base of 28 stores).  In 
addition, there was an increase in the mix of sales of high technology 
products, which historically produce lower margins than low technology 
products.  

     Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended 
September 30, 1997 compared to 1996 increased 37.2% to $40.5 million from 
$29.5 million.  The increase in total selling, general and administrative 
expenses is a result of certain selling expenses incurred at the store level 
due to an increase in the number of stores in 1997 as compared to 1996.  As a 
percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses 
decreased to 19.7% from 20.3%.  The change in percentage of sales reflects 
the relatively fixed nature of certain general and administrative expenses 
and the effect of the increase in sales volume.

     Operating income before deferred compensation expense for the nine 
months ended September 30, 1997 was $15.5 million compared to operating 
income of $11.6 million for the same nine months of 1996, an increase of 
34.5%.  The increase is principally the result of the increase in sales 
derived from both new and existing stores.  As a percentage of sales, 
operating income before deferred compensation expense for the nine months 
ended September 30, 1997 was 7.6% compared to 7.9% in 1996.  The decrease is 
principally related to the decrease in gross profit experienced in 1997, 
partially offset by the leveraging of fixed expenses.

     Deferred compensation expense of $69.9 million for the nine months ended 
September 30, 1996 resulted from the purchase and exchange of management 
stock options and the cancellation of the Company's prior stock option 
program.  These expenses were non-recurring and the deferred compensation 
plan has been terminated.
     
     Interest expense, net for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 
decreased to $7.0 million from $9.1 million in the same period of 1996.  The 
interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 consisted 
principally of  interest on the Company's Senior Notes.  On April 19, 1997, 
the Company redeemed, at a premium, $33.3 million principal amount of the 
Senior Notes.  For the comparable period of 1996, interest included financing 
costs of $4.7 million, $0.9 million of interest related to a bridge loan 
facility which was repaid in full in 1996 and interest on the  Senior Notes.

     Non-recurring transaction expenses of $0.7 million for the nine months 
ended September 30, 1997 relate to payroll taxes in connection with the 
closing of the Offering and were incurred as a result of management's 
conversion of their Junior Preferred Stock into shares of  Common Stock, 
compared to non-recurring transaction costs of $6.5 million for the nine 
months of 1996 which related to the June 1996 recapitalization.
     
     In the second quarter of 1997 an extraordinary charge to operations of 
$4.4 million, net of tax of $1.7 million, was incurred equal to the premium 
paid on the Senior Notes plus the write-off of one-third of the unamortized 
deferred financing fees.

     Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 increased to 
$3.7 million from a loss of $74.1 million for the same period in 1996, 
principally as a result of the effect of the deferred compensation expense 
discussed above.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     On March 19, 1997, the Company completed the Offering pursuant to which 
it sold 6,750,000 shares of Common Stock and received approximately $94.4 
million in net cash proceeds (before deducting expenses associated with the 
Offering.) On April 15, 1997, the Company sold an additional 1,012,500 shares 
of Common Stock in the Offering and received an additional $14.1 million in 
net cash proceeds from the underwriters' exercise in full of their 
over-allotment option. Upon consummation of the Offering, 


                                      12

<PAGE>

all of the outstanding shares of the Company's Junior Preferred Stock were 
automatically converted into shares of Common Stock at a ratio of 6.667 
shares of Common Stock for each share of Junior Preferred Stock.  No accrued 
and unpaid dividends were paid on any shares of Junior Preferred Stock.  
Approximately $23.0 million of the net proceeds from the Offering were used 
to redeem, at a premium of 3%, all of the outstanding shares of Senior 
Preferred Stock.   As a result, the Company incurred a charge to dividends in 
the nine months ended September 30, 1997 of $7.7 million for the difference 
between the financial statement value of the Senior Preferred Stock and the 
face amount thereof, plus premium.  Approximately $9.7 million of the net 
proceeds from the Offering were used to repay all amounts under the Company's 
former credit facility.  In addition, the Company used approximately $18.4 
million to redeem approximately 1,317,000 shares of Common Stock from 
management in the Management Tax Redemption. Immediately following the 
Offering, the Company called for redemption, at a premium of 10%, an 
aggregate of $33.3 million principal amount of Senior Notes. On April 19, 
1997, Company used $37.9 million of the net proceeds from the Offering to 
redeem such Senior Notes, including payment of all accrued and unpaid 
interest with respect to the Senior Notes called for redemption.  
Accordingly, an extraordinary charge to the Company's results of operations 
was recognized in the second quarter of 1997 equal to the premium paid on the 
Senior Notes plus the write off of one-third of the unamortized deferred 
financing fees.  The balance of the net proceeds was retained for general 
corporate purposes, which has included the acquisition of two musical 
instrument stores in the Atlanta, Georgia market in April 1997.

     Guitar Center's need for liquidity will arise primarily from interest 
payable on its indebtedness and the funding of the Company's capital 
expenditures and working capital requirements, as well as possible 
acquisitions. The Company has historically financed its operations through 
internally generated funds and borrowings under its credit facilities.  The 
Company has no mandatory payments of principal on the Senior Notes prior to 
their final maturity in 2006.  In the third quarter of 1997, the Company 
terminated its prior credit facility and entered into the 1997 Credit 
Facility, which allows for borrowings up to $40 million and expires June 1, 
2004.  The Company currently has no borrowings outstanding under its 1997 
Credit Facility.  The agreement underlying the 1997 Credit Facility includes 
certain restrictive covenants, which, among other things, require the Company 
to maintain certain financial ratios.  The Company was in compliance with 
respect to such requirements as of September 30, 1997. 
     
     As a result of the $72.4 million loss incurred in fiscal 1996, the 
Company has a tax net operating loss carryforward for federal income tax 
purposes aggregating $64.2 million, which will expire if unused in 2011.  As 
of September 30, 1997, the Company had fully reserved the related deferred 
tax asset of $22.5 million.  In future periods, the Company will evaluate the 
need for such reserves based upon actual and projected levels of 
profitability.

     For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, cash used by operating 
activities was $11.4 million.  Cash used in investing activities totaled 
$16.4 million, relating principally to the acquisition of two musical 
instruments stores in Atlanta, Georgia and the construction costs of opening 
new stores. Cash provided by financing activities totaled $29.6 million, 
which consisted principally of proceeds from the Offering of $107.6 million, 
net of the redemption of the Senior Preferred Stock of ($23.0 million), 
redemption of Common Stock in the Management Tax Redemption ($18.4 million), 
redemption of Senior Notes ($33.3) million and repayment of all amounts 
outstanding under the prior credit facility ($3.5 million).
     
     The Company intends to pursue an aggressive growth strategy by opening 
additional stores in new and existing markets.  The Company also believes 
that there may be attractive opportunities to expand by selectively acquiring 
existing music products retailers.  For example, as discussed above and 
described in previous reports, in April 1997 the Company acquired a music 
products retailer operating two stores in the Atlanta, Georgia market.  The 
Company, in the ordinary course of its business, regularly evaluates and 
enters into negotiations relating to potential acquisition candidates in new 
and existing market areas.  Any such transactions may involve the payment by 
the Company of cash or securities (including equity securities), or a 
combination thereof.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able 
to identify suitable acquisition candidates available for sale at reasonable 
prices, consummate additional acquisitions or successfully integrate any such 
acquired companies into its operations.


                                      13

<PAGE>
     
     Management believes that the Company has adequate capital resources and 
liquidity to meet its borrowing obligations, fund all required capital 
expenditures and pursue its business strategy for the next twelve months, 
including its present plans for expansion.  The Company's capital resources 
and liquidity are expected to be provided by the Company's net cash flow from 
operations, funds retained from the net proceeds of the Offering and 
borrowings under the 1997 Credit Facility.  Depending upon market conditions, 
the Company may also incur additional indebtedness or issue equity 
securities.  There can be no assurance that such additional capital, if and 
when required, will be available on terms acceptable to the Company, if at 
all.  

SEASONALITY

     The Company's results are not highly seasonal, although, as with most 
retailers, sales in the fourth quarter are typically higher than any other 
quarter.

INFLATION

     The Company believes that the relatively moderate rates of inflation 
experienced in recent years have not had a significant impact on its net 
sales or profitability.
     
IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS
     
     The Financial Accounting Standards Board has recently issued Statement 
No. 128, "Earnings per share" ("FAS 128"), issued in March 1997 and effective 
for fiscal years ending after December 15, 1997.  The Company will adopt FAS 
128 in 1997.  FAS 128 introduces and requires the presentation of "Basic" 
earnings per share which represents net earnings divided by the weighted 
average shares outstanding excluding all common stock equivalents.  A dual 
presentation of "Diluted" earnings per share reflecting the dilutive effects 
of all common stock equivalents, will also be required.  The Diluted 
presentation is similar to the current presentation of fully diluted earnings 
per share.  Management believes the adoption of FAS 128 will not have a 
material impact on the Company's results of operations.

     In June 1997, the FASB issued two additional statements, SFAS 130, 
"Reporting Comprehensive Income" and Statement No. 131, "Disclosures About 
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information."  Both are effective for 
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.  Adoption of these standards 
will not impact the financial results of the Company.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS; BUSINESS RISKS

     This Report contains certain forward-looking statements relating to, 
among other things, future results of operations, growth plans, sales, gross 
margin and expense trends, capital requirements and general industry and 
business conditions applicable to the Company.  These forward-looking 
statements are based largely on the Company's current expectations and are 
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ 
materially from these forward-looking statements.  Important factors to 
consider in evaluating such forward-looking statements include changes in 
external competitive market factors, changes in the Company's business 
strategy or an inability to execute its strategy due to unanticipated changes 
in the music products industry or the economy in general, the emergence of 
new or growing specialty retailers of music products and various competitive 
factors that may prevent the Company from competing successfully in existing 
or future markets.  These matters and other business risks to which the 
Company is subject are discussed in the Company's periodic reports and 
registration statements filed from time to time with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.  In particular, a discussion of such risks in greater 
detail is contained under the caption "Item 1., Business - Business Risks" on 
pages 11 through 13 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


                                      14

<PAGE>

Part II.  OTHER INFORMATION

          
     ITEM 5.   OTHER INFORMATION.
     
          During the third quarter of 1997, Raymond Scherr, the former Chief
     Executive Officer and sole shareholder of the Company, resigned from its
     board of directors.  The Company has no present plans to fill the vacancy.
     
     ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
     
          (a)  EXHIBITS.
               
               Exhibit 10.36  Credit Agreement dated August 14, 1997 between
                    Guitar Center, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
               
               Exhibit 11.    Income (loss) per share.
               
               Exhibit 27.    Financial Data Schedule.

          (b)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. 
               
               None.


                                      15

<PAGE>

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, 
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned thereunto duly authorized as of the 30th day of April, 1997.


                                   Guitar Center, Inc.

                                   /s/  BRUCE L. ROSS
                                   --------------------------------------
                                   Bruce L. Ross, Vice President,
                                   Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

                                   (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal
                                    Financial and Accounting Officer)


                                      16

<PAGE>

Exhibit Index

EXHIBIT NO.         DESCRIPTION

10.36               Wells Fargo Bank Documents

11                  Computation of Income (Loss) Per Share

27                  Financial Data Schedule
                                   
     
                                      17


<PAGE>

                                   CREDIT AGREEMENT


    THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of August 14, 1997, by and between GUITAR
CENTER, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), and WELLS FARGO BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank").


                                       RECITALS

    WHEREAS, Borrower, as successor to Guitar Center Management, Inc., and Bank
are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 6, 1996, as
amended from time to time (the "1996 Agreement"), pursuant to which Bank has
provided certain credit accommodations to Borrower; and

    WHEREAS, Borrower has requested from Bank a restructuring of Borrower's
revolving line of credit granted pursuant to the 1996 Agreement and a new term
credit accommodation, and Bank has agreed to provide said restructuring and
additional credit on the terms and conditions contained herein.

    NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, Bank and Borrower hereby agree as follows:


                                      ARTICLE I
                                     DEFINITIONS

    As used herein, the terms defined in the preceding paragraphs shall have
the meanings set forth therein, and the following terms shall have the meanings
set forth after each, with all such meanings equally applicable to the singular
and plural of the terms defined:

    "AAA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.11(b) hereof.


                                         -1-
<PAGE>

    "Applicable LIBOR Margin" shall mean the following during each fiscal
quarter based on Borrower's ratio of Net Funded Debt to EBITDA for the
immediately preceding fiscal quarter:

    Ratio of Net Funded            Applicable
      Debt To EBITDA              LIBOR Margin
    -------------------           ------------

    3.5 to 1.0 or greater            2.25%

    3.0 to 1.0 or greater
    but less than 3.5 to 1.0         1.625%

    Less than 3.0 to 1.0             1.50%

    "Bankruptcy Code" shall mean the Bankruptcy Reform Act, Title 11 of the
United States Code, as amended or recodified from time to time.

    "Business Day" shall mean any day except a Saturday, Sunday or any other
day on which commercial banks in California are authorized or required by law to
close.

    "Change of Law" shall mean any law, treaty, rule, regulation or
determination of a court or governmental authority or any change therein or in
the interpretation or application thereof.

    "Commercial Letters of Credit" shall mean sight commercial letters of
credit issued by Bank for the account of Borrower, as defined more fully in
Section 2.2(b) hereof.

    "Dispute" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.11(a) hereof.

    "EBITDA" shall mean net profit before tax plus interest expense (net of
capitalized interest expense), depreciation expense, recurring non-cash charges
arising from Borrower's stock compensation plan, non-recurring non-cash charges
and amortization expense, and excluding solely for Borrower's 1997 fiscal year,
any costs that are incurred by Borrower as a direct result of Borrower's Initial
Public Offering and are paid from the proceeds of said Initial Pubic Offering.

    "EBITDA Coverage Ratio" shall mean, on a pro forma basis,  (a) EBITDA
divided by (b) the aggregate of total interest expense plus the prior period
current maturity of long-term debt and the prior period current maturity of
subordinated debt; provided that for purposes of this definition, Permitted
Acquisitions which occurred during any period for which the EBITDA Coverage
Ratio is determined shall be assumed to have occurred on the first day of such
period.


                                         -2-
<PAGE>

    "ERISA" shall mean the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended or recodified from time to time.

    "Event of Default" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 hereof.

    "Fixed Rate Term" shall mean a period commencing on a Business Day and
continuing for one (1), two (2), three (3), six (6), nine (9) or twelve (12)
months, as designated by Borrower, during which all or a portion of the
outstanding principal balance of the Line of Credit bears interest determined in
relation to LIBOR; provided however, that no Fixed Rate Term may be selected for
a principal amount less than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000); and
provided further, that no Fixed Rate Term shall extend beyond the scheduled
maturity date of the Line of Credit.  If any Fixed Rate Term would end on a day
which is not a Business Day, then such Fixed Rate Term shall be extended to the
next succeeding Business Day.

    "Initial Public Offering" shall mean Borrower's offering of 7,762,500
shares of Borrower's common stock pursuant to the Offering Memorandum.

    "Kendall Letter of Credit" shall mean standby letter of credit no.
SAS224663 issued by Bank for the account of Borrower and for the benefit of
Kendall-77, Ltd., as defined more fully in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

    "Kendall Letter of Credit Agreement" shall mean collectively, the
Application for Standby Letter of Credit executed by Borrower in connection with
the Kendall Letter of Credit, a copy of which is attached hereto as EXHIBIT A,
together with the Continuing Standby Letter of Credit Agreement included as part
of EXHIBIT B.

    "LIBOR" shall mean the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the
nearest whole 1/8 of 1%) and determined pursuant to the following formula:

         LIBOR =              Base LIBOR
                   -------------------------------
                   100% - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

         (a)  "Base LIBOR" means the rate per annum for United States dollar
    deposits quoted by Bank as the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate, with the
    understanding that such rate is quoted by Bank for the purpose of
    calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference thereto,
    on the first day of a Fixed Rate Term for delivery of funds on said date
    for a period of time approximately equal to the number of days in such
    Fixed Rate Term and in an amount approximately equal to the principal
    amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applies.  Borrower understands and
    agrees

                                         -3-
<PAGE>

    that Bank may base its quotation of the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate upon
    such offers or other market indicators of the Inter-Bank Market as Bank in
    its discretion deems appropriate including, but not limited to, the rate
    offered for U.S. dollar deposits on the London Inter-Bank Market.

         (b)  "LIBOR Reserve Percentage" means the reserve percentage
    prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
    successor) for "Eurocurrency Liabilities" (as defined in Regulation D of
    the Federal Reserve Board, as amended), adjusted by Bank for expected
    changes in such reserve percentage during the applicable Fixed Rate Term.

    "Letter of Credit Agreement" shall mean collectively, Bank's standard
Continuing Commercial Letter of Credit Agreement and Continuing Standby Letter
of Credit Agreement, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT B attached hereto.
The references in the Riders to said Agreements to a Credit Agreement dated June
5, 1996 are hereby deemed references to this Agreement.

    "Letters of Credit" shall mean Commercial Letters of Credit and Standby
Letters of Credit made available under the Line of Credit subfeature described
in Section 2.2(b) hereof, and shall include the Kendall Letter of Credit.

    "Line of Credit" shall mean a revolving credit accommodation available to
Borrower in the maximum principal amount of $40,000,000, as defined more fully
in Section 2.2 hereof.

    "Line of Credit Note" shall mean a promissory note executed by Borrower to
evidence advances under the Line of Credit, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
C attached hereto.

    "Line Maturity Date" shall mean July 1, 2004.

    "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Kendall Letter of Credit
Agreement, the Letter of Credit Agreement, the Line of Credit Note, and each
other document, contract and instrument required hereby or at any time hereafter
delivered to Bank in connection herewith.

    "Net Funded Debt" shall mean for any fiscal quarter (a) the aggregate of
the average daily outstanding principal balance under the Line of Credit,
subordinated debt, capitalized leases recorded as such on Borrower's books and
records, and all other indebtedness of Borrower evidenced by a note or similar
debt instrument, less (b) the aggregate of the average daily cash balances and
marketable securities maintained by Borrower.

    "Offering Memorandum" shall mean the Prospectus for the Initial Public
Offering issued by Borrower and dated March 13,


                                         -4-
<PAGE>

1997, and Borrower's S-1 Registration Statement dated February 15, 1997, as
amended by Amendments No. 1 and 2 thereto.

    "Permitted Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition by Borrower of all or
substantially all of the stock or assets of any person or entity, whether by
direct acquisition, merger or otherwise, that satisfies the following
conditions:

    (a)  at the time of any acquisition, the company whose stock or assets are
to be acquired shall be engaged in the same or a similar line of business as
Borrower;

    (b)  if the acquisition is of all or substantially all of the stock of a
company, such company shall have no direct and/or contingent obligations for
indebtedness for borrowed money, or all such obligations for indebtedness for
borrowed money shall be assumed by Borrower upon completion of the acquisition;

    (c)  at the time of any acquisition, and assumption if applicable, after
giving effect thereto, there shall exist no Event of Default nor any condition
which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute
an Event of Default; and

    (d)  at least seven (7) days prior to closing any such acquisition,
Borrower shall have delivered to Bank a proforma compliance certificate in form
and substance satisfactory to Bank, which shows to Bank's reasonable
satisfaction that Borrower will be in compliance with all terms and conditions
of this Agreement after giving effect thereto.

    "Plan" shall mean a defined employee benefit pension plan, as defined in
ERISA.

    "Prime Rate" shall mean at any time the rate of interest most recently
announced within Bank at its principal office as its Prime Rate, with the
understanding that the Prime Rate is one of Bank's base rates and serves as the
basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans
making reference thereto, and is evidenced by the recording thereof in such
internal publication or publications as Bank may designate.

    "Senior Notes" shall mean the unsecured obligations of Borrower under its
11% Senior Notes due 2006 in the aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000,
issued pursuant to an Indenture between Borrower and U.S. Trust Company of
California, as trustee, dated as of July 2, 1996, as amended and supplemented
prior to the date of this Agreement.

    "Standby Letters of Credit" shall mean standby letters of credit issued by
Bank for the account of Borrower (other than the


                                         -5-
<PAGE>

Kendall Letter of Credit), as defined more fully in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

    "Tangible Net Worth" shall mean (a) the aggregate of total stockholders'
equity plus subordinated debt, less (b) any intangible assets.


                                      ARTICLE II
                                      THE CREDIT


    SECTION 2.1.   1996 AGREEMENT.  The 1996 Agreement shall be canceled and
superseded by this Agreement as of the date first written above.

    SECTION 2.2.   LINE OF CREDIT.

    (a)  LINE OF CREDIT.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Bank hereby agrees to make advances to Borrower under the Line of
Credit from time to time up to and including the Line Maturity Date, not to
exceed at any time the aggregate principal amount of Forty Million Dollars
($40,000,000), or such lesser amount as may from time to time be available
thereunder, the proceeds of which shall be used to finance (i) Borrower's
general working capital requirements, and (ii) Permitted Acquisitions; provided
however, that outstanding borrowings for Permitted Acquisitions shall not at any
time exceed an aggregate of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000).  Borrower's
obligation to repay advances under the Line of Credit shall be evidenced by the
Line of Credit Note, all terms of which are incorporated herein by this
reference.

    (b)  LETTER OF CREDIT SUBFEATURE.  As a subfeature under the Line of
Credit, Bank agrees from time to time during the term thereof to issue Letters
of Credit for the account of Borrower to finance inventory purchases and for
other purposes acceptable to Bank; provided however, that the form and substance
of each Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by Bank, in its reasonable
discretion; and provided further, that the aggregate undrawn amount of all
outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed Ten Million Dollars
($10,000,000).  In addition, Bank has issued the Kendall Letter of Credit for
the account of Borrower in support of Borrower's real estate lease obligations
to Kendall-77, Ltd. in the face amount of $226,169.83, with an initial
expiration date of February 13, 1997, which expiration date is subject to
extension as provided therein and has been extended to February 13, 1998, and
which Bank hereby acknowledges remains in full force and effect as a Letter of
Credit under this subfeature.  Other than the Kendall Letter of Credit, each
Letter of Credit shall be issued for a term not to exceed three hundred
sixty-five (365) days, as designated by Borrower, and no Letter


                                         -6-
<PAGE>

of Credit shall have an expiration date more than one hundred eighty (180) days
beyond the Line Maturity Date.  The undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit
shall be reserved under the Line of Credit and shall not be available for
borrowings thereunder.  Other than the Kendall Letter of Credit, each Letter of
Credit shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Letter of
Credit Agreement and related documents, if any, required by Bank in connection
with the issuance thereof.  The Kendall Letter of Credit shall remain subject to
the additional terms and conditions of the Kendall Letter of Credit Agreement.
Each draft paid by Bank under a Letter of Credit shall be deemed an advance
under the Line of Credit and shall be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to such advances; provided
however, that if advances under the Line of Credit are not available, for any
reason, at the time any draft is paid by Bank, then Borrower shall immediately
pay to Bank the full amount of such draft, together with interest thereon from
the date such amount is paid by Bank to the date such amount is fully repaid by
Borrower, at the rate of interest applicable to advances under the Line of
Credit.  In such event Borrower agrees that Bank, in its sole discretion, may
debit any demand deposit account maintained by Borrower with Bank for the amount
of any such draft.

    (c)  BORROWING AND REPAYMENT.  Borrower may from time to time during the
term of the Line of Credit borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding
borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and
conditions contained herein or in the Line of Credit Note; provided however,
that the maximum principal amount available under the Line of Credit shall be
reduced automatically without further notice from Bank by Ten Million Dollars
($10,000,000) on each of July 1, 2000, July 1, 2001 and July 1, 2002; and
provided further, that the total outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit
shall not at any time exceed the maximum principal amount then available
thereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  The outstanding
principal balance of the Line of Credit, together with all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, shall be due and payable in full on the Line Maturity Date.

    (d)  PREPAYMENT OF ADVANCES.

         (i)  PRIME RATE.  Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of the
Line of Credit which bears interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate at
any time, in any amount and without penalty.

        (ii)  LIBOR.  Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of the Line
of Credit which bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR at any time and
in the minimum amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000); provided
however, that if the outstanding principal balance of such portion of the Line


                                         -7-
<PAGE>

of Credit is less than said amount, the minimum prepayment amount shall be the
entire outstanding principal balance thereof.  In consideration of Bank
providing this prepayment option to Borrower, or if any such portion of the Line
of Credit shall become due and payable at any time prior to the last day of the
Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto by acceleration or otherwise, Borrower shall
pay to Bank immediately upon demand a fee which is the sum of the discounted
monthly differences for each month from the month of prepayment through the
month in which such Fixed Rate Term matures, calculated as follows for each such
month:

         (A)  DETERMINE the amount of interest which would have accrued each
              month on the amount prepaid at the interest rate applicable to
              such amount had it remained outstanding until the last day of the
              Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto.

         (B)  SUBTRACT from the amount determined in (A) above the amount of
              interest which would have accrued for the same month on the
              amount prepaid for the remaining term of such Fixed Rate Term at
              LIBOR in effect on the date of prepayment for new loans made for
              such term and in a principal amount equal to the amount prepaid.

         (C)  If the result obtained in (B) for any month is greater than zero,
              discount that difference by LIBOR used in (ii) above.

Borrower acknowledges that prepayment of LIBOR borrowings may result in Bank
incurring additional costs, expenses and/or liabilities, and that it is
difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses and/or
liabilities.  Borrower, therefore, agrees to pay the above-described prepayment
fee and agrees that said amount represents a reasonable estimate of the
prepayment costs, expenses and/or liabilities of Bank.  If Borrower fails to pay
any prepayment fee when due, the amount of such prepayment fee shall thereafter
bear interest until paid at a rate per annum two percent (2%) above the Prime
Rate in effect from time to time (computed on the basis of a 360-day year,
actual days elapsed).

    SECTION 2.3.   INTEREST/FEES.

    (a)  LINE OF CREDIT.  The outstanding principal balance of the Line of
Credit, or such portions thereof as Borrower shall designate, shall bear
interest in accordance with one of the following options, as selected by
Borrower pursuant to the terms of Section 2.4 hereof:

         (i)  at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate in effect
              from time to time; or


                                         -8-
<PAGE>

        (ii)  at a fixed rate determined by Bank to be equal to LIBOR in effect
              on the first day of a Fixed Rate Term plus the Applicable LIBOR
              Margin.

    (b)  COMPUTATION AND PAYMENT.  Interest shall be computed on the basis of a
360-day year, actual days elapsed, and shall be payable at the times and place
set forth in the Line of Credit Note and the Kendall Letter of Credit Agreement.
When interest is determined in relation to the Prime Rate, each change in the
rate of interest shall become effective on the date each Prime Rate change is
announced within Bank.

    (c)  FACILITY FEE.  Borrower shall pay to Bank the $150,000 remaining
unpaid portion of the facility fee required by the 1996 Agreement in
installments of $50,000 at the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, commencing
with Borrower's 1997 fiscal year end; provided however, that upon early
termination or cancellation of this Agreement or the Line of Credit, Borrower
shall pay in full the remaining outstanding balance of said facility fee.
Borrower acknowledges that Bank's agreement to permit Borrower to continue to
pay said facility fee in installments, rather than requiring payment of the full
amount owing thereunder upon the early termination of the 1996 Agreement, shall
not be deemed a commitment by Bank to make any similar agreement with respect to
any future unpaid portion of said facility fee.

    (d)  UNUSED COMMITMENT FEE.  Borrower shall pay to Bank a fee equal to
one-quarter percent (.25%) per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year,
actual days elapsed) on the average daily unused amount of the Line of Credit
during each calendar quarter, or portion thereof, that the Line of Credit
remains available.  Said fee shall be calculated by Bank as of the end of each
calendar quarter, commencing September 30, 1997, and shall be due and payable by
Borrower in arrears upon billing by Bank.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
average daily advances under the Line of Credit exceed $15,000,000 during any of
the following 12-month periods:

    October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998;
    October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999;
    October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000;
    October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001;
    October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002;
    October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003;

as determined by Bank at the end of each such 12-month period, then on January 1
of the next year, Bank shall refund to Borrower all unused commitment fee
amounts paid by Borrower for such 12-month period.


                                         -9-
<PAGE>

    (e)  LETTER OF CREDIT FEES.  Borrower shall pay to Bank (i) fees upon the
issuance, and where applicable each annual anniversary date, of each Standby
Letter of Credit and the Kendall Letter of Credit equal to two percent (2%) per
annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) of the face
amount thereof, and (ii) fees upon the issuance of each Commercial Letter of
Credit, fees upon the payment or negotiation by Bank of each draft under any
Letter of Credit and fees upon the occurrence of any other activity with respect
to any Letter of Credit (including without limitation, the transfer, amendment
or cancellation of any Letter of Credit) determined in accordance with Bank's
standard fees and charges then in effect for such activity.  Attached hereto as
Schedule 1 is a list of Bank's standard fees and charges in effect as of the
date hereof.

    (f)  COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS.  Borrower authorizes Bank to collect all
interest and fees due under each Credit by charging Borrower's demand deposit
account number 4629-103789 with Bank, or any other demand deposit account
maintained by Borrower with Bank, for the full amount thereof.  Should there be
insufficient funds in any such demand deposit account to pay all such sums when
due, the full amount of such deficiency shall be immediately due and payable by
Borrower.

    SECTION 2.4.   SELECTION OF LINE OF CREDIT INTEREST OPTIONS.  At any time
any portion of the Line of Credit bears interest determined in relation to
LIBOR, it may be continued by Borrower at the end of the applicable Fixed Rate
Term so that all or a portion thereof bears interest determined in relation to
the Prime Rate or in relation to LIBOR for a new Fixed Rate Term designated by
Borrower.  At any time any portion of the Line of Credit bears interest
determined in relation to the Prime Rate, Borrower may convert all or a portion
thereof so that it bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR for a Fixed
Rate Term designated by Borrower.  At the time an advance is requested under the
Line of Credit, or at such other time as Borrower wishes to select a LIBOR
option for all or a portion thereof, and at the end of each Fixed Rate Term,
Borrower shall give Bank notice specifying:

    (a)  the interest rate option selected by Borrower;

    (b)  the principal amount subject thereto; and

    (c)  if a LIBOR option is selected, the length of the applicable Fixed Rate
Term.

Any such notice may be given by telephone so long as, (i) with respect to each
selection of a LIBOR option, Bank receives written confirmation from Borrower
not later than three (3) Business Days after such telephone notice is given, and
(ii)  such notice is given to Bank prior to 10:00 a.m., California


                                         -10-
<PAGE>

time, on the first day of the Fixed Rate Term.  For each LIBOR option requested
hereunder, Bank will quote the applicable fixed rate to Borrower at
approximately 10:00 a.m., California time, on the first day of the Fixed Rate
Term.  If Borrower does not immediately accept the rate quoted by Bank, any
subsequent acceptance by Borrower shall be subject to a redetermination by Bank
of the applicable fixed rate; provided however, that if Borrower fails to accept
any such rate by 11:00 a.m., California time, on the Business Day such quotation
is given, then the quoted rate shall expire and Bank shall have no obligation to
permit a LIBOR option to be selected on such day.  If no specific designation of
interest is made at the time an advance is requested under the Line of Credit,
or at the end of any Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall be deemed to have made a
Prime Rate interest selection for such advance or the principal amount to which
such Fixed Rate Term applied.

    SECTION 2.5.  ADDITIONAL LIBOR PROVISIONS.

    (a)  INABILITY TO DETERMINE LIBOR.  If Bank at any time shall determine
that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining
LIBOR, then Bank shall promptly give notice thereof to Borrower.  If such notice
is given and until such notice has been withdrawn by Bank, than (i) no new LIBOR
option may be selected by Borrower, and (ii) any portion of the outstanding
principal balance of the Line of Credit which bears interest determined in
relation to LIBOR, subsequent to the end of the Fixed Rate Term applicable
thereto, shall bear interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate.

    (b)  CHANGE IN LAW:  ILLEGALITY.  If any Change in Law shall make it
unlawful for Bank (i) to make LIBOR options available hereunder, or (ii) to
maintain interest rates based on LIBOR, then in the former event, any obligation
of Bank to make available such unlawful LIBOR options shall immediately be
canceled, and in the latter event, any such unlawful LIBOR-based interest rates
then outstanding shall be converted, at Bank's option, so that interest on the
portion of the Line of Credit subject thereto is determined in relation to the
Prime Rate; provided however, that if any such Change in Law shall permit any
LIBOR-based interest rates to remain in effect until the expiration of the Fixed
Rate Term applicable thereto, then such permitted LIBOR-based interest rates
shall continue in effect until the expiration of such Fixed Rate Term.  Upon the
occurrence of any of the foregoing events, Borrower shall pay to Bank
immediately upon demand such amounts as may be necessary to compensate Bank for
any fines, fees, charges, penalties or other costs incurred or payable by Bank
as a result thereof and which are attributable to any LIBOR options made
available to Borrower hereunder, and any reasonable allocation made by Bank
among its operations shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.



                                         -11-
<PAGE>

    (c)  CHANGE IN LAW:  INCREASED COSTS.  If any Change in Law or compliance
by Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
from any central bank or other governmental authority shall:

         (i)  subject Bank to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to any
              LIBOR options, or change the basis of taxation of payments to
              Bank of principal, interest, fees or any other amount payable
              hereunder (except for changes in the rate of tax on the overall
              net income of Bank); or

        (ii)  impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit,
              compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by,
              deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances
              or loans by, or any other acquisition of funds by any office of
              Bank; or

       (iii)  impose on Bank any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to Bank of
making, renewing or maintaining any LIBOR options pursuant hereto and/or to
reduce any amount receivable by Bank in connection therewith, then in any such
case, Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand such amounts as may be
necessary to compensate Bank for any additional costs reasonably incurred by
Bank and/or reductions in amounts received by Bank which are attributable to
such LIBOR options.  In determining which costs incurred by Bank and/or
reductions in amounts received by Bank are attributable to any LIBOR options
made available to Borrower pursuant hereto, any reasonable allocation made by
Bank among its operations shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.

    SECTION 2.6.   COLLATERAL.  As security for all indebtedness of Borrower to
Bank subject hereto, Borrower grants to Bank security interests of first
priority in all Borrower's accounts receivable, other rights to payment, general
intangibles, trademarks and inventory, junior solely to any security interests
to which Bank gives its prior written consent as required by Section 6.8 hereof.
All of the foregoing shall be evidenced by and subject to the terms of such
security agreements, financing statements and other documents as Bank shall
reasonably require, all in form and substance satisfactory to Bank.  Borrower
shall reimburse Bank immediately upon demand for all costs and expenses
reasonably incurred by Bank in connection with any of the foregoing security,
including without limitation, filing and recording fees and, if necessary, costs
of appraisals and audits.


                                     ARTICLE III
                            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES


                                         -12-
<PAGE>

    Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Bank, which
representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Agreement and
shall continue in full force and effect until the full and final payment, and
satisfaction and discharge, of all obligations of Borrower to Bank subject to
this Agreement.

    SECTION 3.1.   LEGAL STATUS.  Borrower is a corporation, duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware, and is
qualified or licensed to do business (and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation, if applicable) in all jurisdictions in which such qualification or
licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed
could have a material adverse effect on Borrower.

    SECTION 3.2.   AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY.  Each of the Loan Documents been
duly authorized, and upon its execution and delivery in accordance with the
provisions hereof will constitute legal, valid and binding agreements and
obligations of Borrower or the party which executes the same, enforceable in
accordance with its respective terms.

    SECTION 3.3.   NO VIOLATION.  The execution, delivery and performance by
Borrower of each of the Loan Documents do not violate any provision of any law
or regulation, or contravene any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation
or By-Laws of Borrower, or result in any breach of or default under any
contract, obligation, indenture or other instrument to which Borrower is a party
or by which Borrower may be bound.

    SECTION 3.4.   LITIGATION.  There are no pending, or to the best of
Borrower's knowledge threatened, actions, claims, investigations, suits or
proceedings by or before any governmental authority, arbitrator, court or
administrative agency which could have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition or operations of Borrower other than those disclosed by
Borrower to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof.

    SECTION 3.5.   CORRECTNESS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT.  The financial statement
of Borrower dated March 31, 1997, a true copy of which has been delivered by
Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) is complete and correct and
presents fairly in all material respects the financial condition of Borrower,
(b) discloses all liabilities of Borrower that are required to be reflected or
reserved against under generally accepted accounting principles, whether
liquidated or unliquidated, fixed or contingent, and (c) has been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied,
except as otherwise disclosed by Borrower therein.  Since the date of such
financial statement there has been no material


                                         -13-
<PAGE>

adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower, nor has Borrower
mortgaged, pledged, granted a security interest in or otherwise encumbered any
of its assets or properties except in favor of Bank or as otherwise permitted by
Bank in writing.

    SECTION 3.6.   INCOME TAX RETURNS.  Borrower has no knowledge of any
pending assessments or adjustments of its income tax payable with respect to any
year, except any such assessment or adjustment which Borrower is being
contesting in good faith and for which Borrower has made provision, to Bank's
satisfaction, for eventual payment thereof in the event Borrower is obligated to
make such payment.

    SECTION 3.7.   NO SUBORDINATION.  There is no agreement, indenture,
contract or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be
bound that requires the subordination in right of payment of any of Borrower's
obligations subject to this Agreement to any other obligation of Borrower.

    SECTION 3.8.   PERMITS, FRANCHISES.  Borrower possesses, and will hereafter
possess, all permits, consents, approvals, franchises and licenses required and
rights to all trademarks, trade names, patents, and fictitious names, if any,
necessary to enable it to conduct the business in which it is now engaged in
compliance with applicable law, except for any non-compliance which would not
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of
Borrower.

    SECTION 3.9.   ERISA.  Borrower is in compliance in all material respects
with all applicable provisions of ERISA; Borrower has not violated any provision
of any defined employee pension benefit plan maintained or contributed to by
Borrower; no Reportable Event as defined in ERISA has occurred and is continuing
with respect to any Plan initiated by Borrower; Borrower has met its minimum
funding requirements under ERISA with respect to each Plan; and each Plan will
be able to fulfill its benefit obligations as they come due in accordance with
the Plan documents and under generally accepted accounting principles.

    SECTION 3.10.  OTHER OBLIGATIONS.  Borrower is not in default on any
material obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any
other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation.

    SECTION 3.11.  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Except as disclosed by Borrower to
Bank in writing prior to the date hereof, Borrower is in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable federal or state environmental, hazardous
waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant
thereto, which govern or affect any of Borrower's operations and/or properties,
including without limitation, the


                                         -14-
<PAGE>

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980,
the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, and the Federal Toxic Substances Control
Act, as any of the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time.  None of the operations of Borrower is the subject of any federal or state
investigation evaluating whether any remedial action involving a material
expenditure is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste or
substance into the environment.  Borrower has no material contingent liability
in connection with any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into
the environment.

    SECTION 3.12.  INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING.  (a) Borrower obtained all
governmental and other approvals necessary to complete the Initial Public
Offering in accordance with applicable law; (b) the Initial Public Offering has
been completed on terms substantially as set forth in the Offering Memorandum,
and Borrower has no remaining obligations, direct or contingent, thereunder,
except for its continuing obligation to the underwriters set forth in the U.S.
and International Underwriting Agreements each dated as of March 13, 1997; (c)
Borrower received at least Eighty Million Dollars ($80,000,000) in net proceeds
from the Initial Public Offering; and (d) in accordance with the terms of the
Offering Memorandum, from said net proceeds Borrower has (i) redeemed (or
repurchased through open market purchases or otherwise), and paid all accrued
and unpaid interest with respect to, a minimum of Thirty-Three Million Dollars
($33,000,000) of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, and (ii) redeemed all
outstanding shares of, and paid all accrued and unpaid dividends with respect
to, Borrower's 14% Senior Preferred Stock, as defined in the Offering
Memorandum.

    SECTION 3.13.  SENIOR NOTES.  Except to the extent redeemed with the
proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, (a) the Senior Notes remain in full
force and effect in accordance with their terms, and (b) there exists no
default, or condition, act or event which with the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both would constitute a default, under any of the Senior
Notes.


                                      ARTICLE IV
                                      CONDITIONS

    SECTION 4.1.   CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT.  The obligation
of Bank to grant any credit hereunder is subject to the fulfillment to Bank's
satisfaction of all of the following conditions:


                                         -15-
<PAGE>

    (a)  APPROVAL OF BANK COUNSEL.  All legal matters incidental to the
granting of any credit hereunder shall be satisfactory to Bank's counsel.

    (b)  DOCUMENTATION.  Bank shall have received, in form and substance
satisfactory to Bank, each of the following, duly executed:

         (i)  This Agreement and the Line of Credit Note.
        (ii)  Corporate Borrowing Resolution.
       (iii)  Certificate of Incumbency.
        (iv)  Kendall Letter of Credit Agreement.
         (v)  Letter of Credit Agreement.
        (vi)  All security agreements, UCC Financing Statements, trademark
              assignments and other documents required by Bank for the creation
              and perfection of the security interests granted pursuant to
              Section 2.6 hereof.
       (vii)  Such other documents as Bank may require under any other Section
              of this Agreement.

    (c)  FINANCIAL CONDITION.  There shall have been no material adverse
change, as determined by Bank, in the financial condition or business of
Borrower, nor any material decline, as determined by Bank, in the market value
of any collateral required hereunder or a substantial or material portion of the
assets of Borrower.

    (d)  INSURANCE.  Borrower shall have delivered to Bank evidence of
insurance coverage on all Borrower's property, in form, substance, amounts,
covering risks and issued by companies satisfactory to Bank, and where required
by Bank, with loss payable endorsements in favor of Bank.

    (e)  PAYMENTS TO BANK.  Borrower shall have repaid all outstanding
indebtedness of Borrower to Bank under the 1996 Agreement (other than the
Kendall Letter of Credit).

    SECTION 4.2.   CONDITIONS OF EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT.  The obligation of
Bank to make each extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be
subject to the fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of each of the following
conditions:

    (a)  COMPLIANCE.  The representations and warranties contained herein and
in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true on and as of the date of the
signing of this Agreement and on the date of each extension of credit by Bank
pursuant hereto, with the same effect as though such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of each such date, and on each such date, no
Event of Default as defined herein, and no condition, event or act which with
the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute such an
Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist.


                                         -16-
<PAGE>

    (b)  DOCUMENTATION.  Bank shall have received all additional documents
which may be required in connection with such extension of credit.

    (c)  LANDLORD'S WAIVERS.  Borrower shall use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain a Landlord's Waiver substantially in the form of EXHIBIT D attached
hereto from the lessor under each new lease entered into by Borrower subsequent
to the date of this Agreement.


                                      ARTICLE V
                                AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

    Borrower covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit
to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent,
liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the Loan Documents
remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower
subject hereto, Borrower shall, unless Bank otherwise consents in writing:

    SECTION 5.1.   PUNCTUAL PAYMENTS.  Punctually pay: (a) all principal,
interest, fees or other liabilities due under any of the Loan Documents at the
times and place and in the manner specified therein, and (b) immediately upon
demand by Bank, the principal amount by which outstanding borrowings under the
Line of Credit at any time exceed any reduced principal amount then available
thereunder.

    SECTION 5.2.   ACCOUNTING RECORDS.  Maintain adequate books and records in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and permit any
representative of Bank, at any reasonable time, to inspect, audit and examine
such books and records, to make copies of the same, and to inspect the
properties of Borrower.

    SECTION 5.3.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Provide to Bank all of the following,
in form and detail satisfactory to Bank:

    (a)  not later than ninety (90) days after and as of the end of each fiscal
year, an unqualified financial statement of Borrower, audited by KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP or another independent certified public accountant of recognized
national standing acceptable to Bank, to include balance sheet, income
statement, and statement of cash flows;

    (b)  not later than forty-five (45) days after and as of the end of each
fiscal quarter, a condensed financial statement of Borrower, prepared by
Borrower, to include a balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash
flows, together with a comparison of same store sales, and a list of all
Borrower's new


                                         -17-
<PAGE>

store locations, or other new locations at which Borrower stores any of its
inventory, opened or acquired during such fiscal quarter;

    (c)  not later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of each fiscal
year, annual budget information presented on a month by month basis for
Borrower's operations during such fiscal year;

    (d)  from time to time such other information as Bank may reasonably
request.

    SECTION 5.4.   COMPLIANCE.  Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits,
governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the
conduct of its business; and comply with the provisions of all documents
pursuant to which Borrower is organized and/or which govern Borrower's continued
existence and with the requirements of all laws, rules, regulations and orders
of any governmental authority applicable to Borrower and/or its business.

    SECTION 5.5.   INSURANCE.  Maintain and keep in force insurance of the
types and in amounts customarily carried in lines of business similar to that of
Borrower, including but not limited to fire, extended coverage, public
liability, flood, property damage and workers' compensation, with all such
insurance carried with companies and in amounts reasonably satisfactory to Bank,
and deliver to Bank from time to time at Bank's request schedules setting forth
all insurance then in effect.

    SECTION 5.6.   FACILITIES.  Keep all properties useful or necessary to
Borrower's business in good repair and condition, normal wear and tear excepted,
and from time to time make necessary repairs, renewals and replacements thereto
so that such properties shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained
as reasonably necessary to conduct Borrower's business.

    SECTION 5.7.   TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES.  Pay and discharge when due any
and all indebtedness, obligations, assessments and taxes, both real or personal,
including without limitation federal and state income taxes and state and local
property taxes and assessments, except such (a) as Borrower may in good faith
contest or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise, and (b) for which Borrower
has made provision, to Bank's satisfaction, for eventual payment thereof in the
event Borrower is obligated to make such payment.

    SECTION 5.8.   LITIGATION.  Promptly give notice in writing to Bank of any
litigation pending or threatened against Borrower with a claim in excess of
$2,500,000.


                                         -18-
<PAGE>

    SECTION 5.9.   FINANCIAL CONDITION.  Maintain Borrower's financial
condition as follows using generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied and used consistently with prior practices (except to the extent
modified by the definitions herein):

    (a)  Net Funded Debt divided by EBITDA not to exceed 4.25 to 1.0 at each
fiscal quarter end prior to September 30, 2000, and 2.0 to 1.0 at each fiscal
quarter end commencing September 30, 2000.

    (b)  Tangible Net Worth at each fiscal year end, commencing as of
Borrower's December 31, 1998 fiscal year end, not less than $1,000,000 greater
than Borrower's Tangible Net Worth at the end of the immediately preceding
fiscal year.

    (c)  EBITDA Coverage Ratio determined as of each fiscal quarter end on a
rolling 4-quarter basis for said fiscal quarter and the immediately preceding 3
fiscal quarters, not less than 2.0 to 1.0 at each fiscal quarter end prior to
September 30, 2000, and 3.5 to 1.0 at each fiscal quarter end commencing
September 30, 2000.

    (d)  Income before tax and extraordinary items plus amortization of
goodwill not less than $1 during any two successive fiscal quarters or at any
fiscal year end.

    (e)  The aggregate of 80% of Borrower's accounts receivable and 70% of
Borrower's inventory, as reflected on Borrower's balance sheet, not less than
the outstanding principal balance of the Line of Credit at each fiscal quarter
end.

    SECTION 5.10.  NOTICE TO BANK.  Promptly (but in no event more than five
(5) days after the occurrence of each such event or matter) give written notice
to Bank in reasonable detail of:  (a) the occurrence of any Event of Default, or
any condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of
time or both would constitute an Event of Default; (b) any change in the name or
the organizational structure of Borrower; (c) the occurrence and nature of any
Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, each as defined in ERISA, or any
funding deficiency with respect to any Plan; or (d) any termination or
cancellation of any insurance policy which Borrower is required to maintain, or
any uninsured or partially uninsured loss through liability or property damage,
or through fire, theft or any other cause affecting Borrower's property in
excess of an aggregate of $2,500,000.

    SECTION 5.11.  PRIMARY DEPOSITORY RELATIONSHIP.  Maintain Borrower's
primary depository accounts and relationship with Bank.


                                         -19-
<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE VI
                                  NEGATIVE COVENANTS

    Borrower further covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend
credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the
Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations
of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower will not without Bank's prior written
consent:

    SECTION 6.1.   USE OF FUNDS.  Use any of the proceeds of the Line of Credit
except for the purposes stated in Article II hereof.

    SECTION 6.2.   OTHER INDEBTEDNESS.  Create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any indebtedness or liabilities resulting from borrowings, loans or
advances, whether secured or unsecured, matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, joint or several, except: (a) the liabilities of Borrower to Bank;
(b) new liabilities incurred in connection with leasehold financing; (c) new
liabilities incurred for the purchase or refinancing of fixed assets or real
property which are secured by the fixed assets or real property purchased or
refinanced; (d) the liabilities of Borrower under the Senior Notes; (e)
liabilities for assumed loans or borrowings incurred in connection with, and as
permitted by the definition of, Permitted Acquisitions; (f) new liabilities in
amounts not to exceed an aggregate of $5,000,000 at any time outstanding; and
(g) other liabilities of Borrower existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior
to, the date hereof.

    SECTION 6.3.   MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS.  (a) Merge into
or consolidate with any other entity; (b) make any substantial change in the
nature of Borrower's business as conducted as of the date hereof; (c) acquire
all or substantially all of the assets of any other entity, except Permitted
Acquisitions in amounts not to exceed an aggregate of $30,000,000 during the
term of the Line of Credit; provided however, that no single Permitted
Acquisition with a purchase price in excess of $15,000,000 may be made without
Bank's prior review and approval, in Bank's reasonable discretion; nor (d) sell,
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial or material portion
of Borrower's assets except in the ordinary course of its business.

    SECTION 6.4.   GUARANTIES.  Guarantee or become liable in any way as
surety, endorser (other than as endorser of negotiable instruments for deposit
or collection in the ordinary course of business), accommodation endorser or
otherwise for, nor pledge or hypothecate any assets of Borrower as security for,
any liabilities or obligations of any other person or entity, except: (a) any of
the foregoing in favor of Bank; and (b) other


                                         -20-
<PAGE>

contingent liabilities in amounts not to exceed an aggregate of $5,000,000
outstanding at any time.

    SECTION 6.5.   LOANS, ADVANCES.  Make any loans or advances to any person
or entity, except: (a) any of the foregoing existing as of, and disclosed to
Bank prior to, the date hereof; (b) new loans or advances to Borrower's Rhythm
City subsidiary in amounts not to exceed an aggregate of $500,000 outstanding at
any time; and (c) additional loans or advances to entities other than Borrower's
Rhythm City subsidiary in amounts not to exceed an aggregate of $2,500,000
outstanding at any time.

    SECTION 6.6.   INVESTMENTS.  Make any investments in any person or entity
except: (a) investments in Permitted Acquisitions; (b) U.S. dollar investments
maturing within one (1) year in (i) marketable direct obligations of the U.S.
government or of any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of
the United States, (ii) marketable direct obligations of any state of the United
States, or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, which,
at the time of acquisition, has the highest credit rating obtainable from
Standard & Poor's Ratings Service ("S&P") or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's"), (iii) commercial paper or corporate promissory notes which, at the
time of acquisition, have the highest credit rating from S&P or Moody's, and are
issued by U.S., Australian, Canadian, European or Japanese bank holding
companies or industrial or financial companies, (iv) certificates of deposit
issued by, bankers acceptances of and interest bearing deposits with any U.S.,
Australian, Canadian, European or Japanese commercial bank having capital and
surplus of at least $500,000,000 and which issues (or the parent of which
issues) commercial paper or other short term securities which have the highest
credit rating obtainable from S&P or Moody's, and (v) money market funds
organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof that invest
solely in the investments described in (i) through (iv) of this Section 6.6(b);
and (c) other investments in amounts not to exceed an aggregate of $2,500,000
outstanding at any time.

    SECTION 6.7.   DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS.  Declare or pay any dividend or
distribution either in cash or any other property (other than common stock) on
Borrower's stock now or hereafter outstanding; nor redeem, retire, repurchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of any class of Borrower's stock now or hereafter
outstanding, except (i) redemptions of preferred stock contemplated by the
Offering Memorandum, and (ii) other redemptions, retirements, repurchases or
other acquisitions in amounts not to exceed an aggregate of $5,000,000 after the
date of this Agreement.

    SECTION 6.8.   PLEDGE OF ACCOUNTS AND INVENTORY.  Pledge, grant or permit
to exist a security interest in, or lien upon,


                                         -21-
<PAGE>

all or any portion of Borrower's accounts receivable, general intangibles or
inventory, except (a) any of the foregoing in favor of Bank, and (b) statutory
liens on assets to secure the payment of rent in favor of a landlord of real
property from which Borrower, having used its reasonable best efforts, has not
been able to obtain a Landlord's Waiver.


                                     ARTICLE VII
                                  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

    SECTION 7.1.   The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an
"Event of Default" under this Agreement:

    (a)  Borrower shall fail to pay when due (i) any principal or interest at
any time owing under the Line of Credit, or (ii) any fees or other amounts
payable under any of the Loan Documents (other than the amounts referred to in
(i) above) and such failure is not cured within five (5) Business Days after
notice thereof from Bank to Borrower.

    (b)  Any financial statement or certificate furnished to Bank in connection
with this Agreement shall prove to be inaccurate when furnished in a manner
which, once corrected, reflects a material adverse change in the financial
condition or operation of Borrower, or any representation or warranty made by
Borrower or any other party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document
shall prove to be incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when
made.

    (c)  Any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation,
agreement or other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document
(other than those referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above), and with
respect to any such default which by its nature can be cured, such default shall
continue for a period of thirty (30) days from the first to occur of (i) the
date Borrower first had knowledge, or using normal due diligence reasonably
should have known, of such default, or (ii) notice thereof is given by Bank to
Borrower.

    (d)  Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any
defined event of default, under the terms of any contract or instrument (other
than any of the Loan Documents) pursuant to which Borrower has incurred any debt
or other liability to Bank in any amount, or to any other person or entity
involving amounts of $2,500,000 or more, individually or in the aggregate, and
with respect to any such default which by its nature can be cured, such default
shall continue past the end of the cure period, if any, applicable thereto.

    (e)  The occurrence of any of the following involving amounts of $2,500,000
or more, individually or in the aggregate,


                                         -22-
<PAGE>

and which is not satisfied, discharged or stayed within forty-five (45) days
from the date thereof: (i) the filing of a notice of judgment lien against
Borrower; (ii) the recording of any abstract of judgment against Borrower in any
county in which Borrower has an interest in real property; (iii) the service of
a notice of levy and/or of a writ of attachment or execution, or other like
process, against the assets of Borrower; or (iv) the entry of a judgment against
Borrower.

    (f)  Borrower shall become insolvent, or shall suffer or consent to or
apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator of
itself or any of its property, or shall generally fail to pay its debts as they
become due, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
Borrower shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or seeking
reorganization, in order to effect a plan or other arrangement with creditors or
any other relief under the Bankruptcy Code, or under any state or federal law
granting relief to debtors, whether now or hereafter in effect; or any
involuntary petition or proceeding pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other
applicable state or federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other
relief for debtors is filed or commenced against Borrower, or Borrower shall
file an answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material
allegations of any involuntary petition; or Borrower shall be adjudicated a
bankrupt, or an order for relief shall be entered against Borrower by any court
of competent jurisdiction under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable
state or federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for
debtors.

    (g)  The dissolution or liquidation of Borrower; or Borrower, or any of its
directors or stockholders, shall take action seeking to effect the dissolution
or liquidation of Borrower.

    SECTION 7.2.   REMEDIES.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, at
Bank's option and upon notice to Borrower:  (a) all indebtedness of Borrower
under each of the Loan Documents, any term thereof to the contrary
notwithstanding, shall become immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest or notice of dishonor, all of which are hereby expressly waived
by each Borrower; (b) the obligation, if any, of Bank to extend any further
credit under any of the Loan Documents shall immediately cease and terminate;
and (c) Bank shall have all rights, powers and remedies available under each of
the Loan Documents, or accorded by law, including without limitation the right
to resort to any or all security for any extension of credit hereunder and to
exercise any or all of the rights of a beneficiary or secured party pursuant to
applicable law.  All rights, powers and remedies of Bank may be exercised at any
time by Bank and from time to time after the occurrence of an Event of


                                         -23-
<PAGE>

Default, are cumulative and not exclusive, and shall be in addition to any other
rights, powers or remedies provided by law or equity.


                                     ARTICLE VIII
                                    MISCELLANEOUS

    SECTION 8.1.   NO WAIVER.  No delay, failure or discontinuance of Bank in
exercising any right, power or remedy under any of the Loan Documents shall
affect or operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude, waive or
otherwise affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or remedy.  Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any
kind by Bank of any breach of or default under any of the Loan Documents must be
in writing and shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing.

    SECTION 8.2.   NOTICES.  All notices, requests and demands which any party
is required or may desire to give to any other party under any provision of this
Agreement must be in writing delivered to each party at the following address:

    BORROWER:  GUITAR CENTER, INC.
               5155 Clareton Drive
               Agoura Hills, CA 91301
               Attn: Chief Financial Officer

        BANK:  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
               Warner Ranch Regional Commercial Banking Office
               6001 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 205
               Woodland Hills, CA 91367

or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to all
other parties.  Each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given or
made as follows:  (a) if sent by hand delivery, upon delivery; (b) if sent by
mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3) days after deposit in
the U.S. mail, first class and postage prepaid; and (c) if sent by telecopy,
upon receipt.

    SECTION 8.3.   COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES.  Borrower shall pay to
Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges,
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees (to include outside
counsel fees and all allocated costs of Bank's in-house counsel), reasonably
expended or incurred by Bank in connection with (a) the negotiation and
preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to a maximum of
$25,000, Bank's continued administration hereof and thereof, and the preparation
of any amendments and waivers hereto and thereto, (b) the enforcement of


                                         -24-
<PAGE>

Bank's rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to Bank
under any of the Loan Documents, and (c) the prosecution or defense of any
action in any way related to any of the Loan Documents, including without
limitation, any action for declaratory relief, whether incurred at the trial or
appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding or otherwise, and including any of
the foregoing incurred in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding (including
without limitation, any adversary proceeding, contested matter or motion brought
by Bank or any other person) relating to any Borrower or any other person or

    SECTION 8.4.   SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the parties; provided however, that
Borrower may not assign or transfer its interest hereunder without Bank's prior
written consent.  Bank reserves the right to sell, assign, transfer, negotiate
or grant participations in all or any part of, or any interest in, Bank's rights
and benefits under each of the Loan Documents.  In connection therewith, Bank
may disclose all documents and information which Bank now has or may hereafter
acquire relating to any extension of credit hereunder, Borrower or its business,
or any collateral required hereunder; provided however, that Bank first obtains,
and provides to Borrower a copy of, a confidentiality agreement from the
prospective assignee which identifies Borrower as an intended third party
beneficiary.

    SECTION 8.5.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT.  This Agreement and the other
Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement between Borrower and Bank with
respect to the extension of credit described herein and supersede all prior
negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the
subject matter hereof, including without limitation, the 1996 Agreement.  This
Agreement may be amended or modified only in writing signed by each party
hereto.

    SECTION 8.6.   NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  This Agreement is made and
entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other person or entity shall
be a third party beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action
or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any other of the Loan Documents
to which it is not a party.

    SECTION 8.7.   TIME.  Time is of the essence of each and every provision of
this Agreement and each other of the Loan Documents.

    SECTION 8.8.   SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS.  If any provision of this
Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity
without invalidating the


                                         -25-
<PAGE>

remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions of this Agreement.

    SECTION 8.9.   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be
an original, and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the
same Agreement.

    SECTION 8.10.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard
to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

    SECTION 8.11.  ARBITRATION.

    (a)  ARBITRATION.  Upon the demand of any party, any Dispute shall be
resolved by binding arbitration (except as set forth in (e) below) in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.  A "Dispute" shall mean any action, dispute,
claim or controversy of any kind, whether in contract or tort, statutory or
common law, legal or equitable, now existing or hereafter arising under or in
connection with, or in any way pertaining to, any of the Loan Documents, or any
past, present or future extensions of credit and other activities, transactions
or obligations of any kind related directly or indirectly to any of the Loan
Documents, including without limitation, any of the foregoing arising in
connection with the exercise of any self-help, ancillary or other remedies
pursuant to any of the Loan Documents.  Any party may by summary proceedings
bring an action in court to compel arbitration of a Dispute.  Any party who
fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a lawful demand by any other
party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in
compelling arbitration of any Dispute.

    (b)  GOVERNING RULES.  Arbitration proceedings shall be administered by the
American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or such other administrator as the
parties shall mutually agree upon in accordance with the AAA Commercial
Arbitration Rules.  All Disputes submitted to arbitration shall be resolved in
accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code),
notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the Loan
Documents.  The arbitration shall be conducted at a location in Los Angeles
County, California selected by the AAA or other administrator.  If there is any
inconsistency between the terms hereof and any such rules, the terms and
procedures set forth herein shall control.  All statutes of limitation
applicable to any Dispute shall apply to any arbitration proceeding.  All
discovery activities shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to
the Dispute being arbitrated.  Judgment upon any award rendered in an
arbitration may be entered in any court having jurisdiction; provided however,
that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that


                                         -26-
<PAGE>

is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. Section 91 or any
similar applicable state law.

    (c)   NO WAIVER; PROVISIONAL REMEDIES, SELF-HELP AND FORECLOSURE.  No
provision hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self-help
remedies such as setoff, foreclosure against or sale of any real or personal
property collateral or security, or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies,
including without limitation injunctive relief, sequestration, attachment,
garnishment or the appointment of a receiver, from a court of competent
jurisdiction before, after or during the pendency of any arbitration or other
proceeding.  The exercise of any such remedy shall not waive the right of any
party to compel arbitration or reference hereunder.

    (d)  ARBITRATOR QUALIFICATIONS AND POWERS; AWARDS.  Arbitrators must be
active members of the California State Bar or retired judges of the state or
federal judiciary of California, with expertise in the substantive laws
applicable to the subject matter of the Dispute.  Arbitrators are empowered to
resolve Disputes by summary rulings in response to motions filed prior to the
final arbitration hearing.  Arbitrators (i) shall resolve all Disputes in
accordance with the substantive law of the state of California, (ii) may grant
any remedy or relief that a court of the state of California could order or
grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make
effective any award, and (iii) shall have the power to award recovery of all
costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other actions as they deem
necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, the California Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable
law.  Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000 or less shall
be decided by a single arbitrator who shall not render an award of greater than
$5,000,000 (including damages, costs, fees and expenses).  By submission to a
single arbitrator, each party expressly waives any right or claim to recover
more than $5,000,000.  Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds
$5,000,000 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators;
provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all
hearings and deliberations.

    (e)  JUDICIAL REVIEW.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in
any arbitration in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000,000, the
arbitrators shall be required to make specific, written findings of fact and
conclusions of law.  In such arbitrations (i) the arbitrators shall not have the
power to make any award which is not supported by substantial evidence or which
is based on legal error, (ii) an award shall not be binding upon the parties
unless the findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence and the
conclusions of law are not erroneous under the substantive law of the state


                                         -27-
<PAGE>

of California, and (iii) the parties shall have in addition to the grounds
referred to in the Federal Arbitration Act for vacating, modifying or correcting
an award the right to judicial review of (A) whether the findings of fact
rendered by the arbitrators are supported by substantial evidence, and (B)
whether the conclusions of law are erroneous under the substantive law of the
state of California.  Judgment confirming an award in such a proceeding may be
entered only if a court determines the award is supported by substantial
evidence and not based on legal error under the substantive law of the state of
California.

    (f)  REAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL; JUDICIAL REFERENCE.  Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, no Dispute shall be submitted to arbitration if
the Dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in
part, by any real property unless (i) the holder of the mortgage, lien or
security interest specifically elects in writing to proceed with the
arbitration, or (ii) all parties to the arbitration waive any rights or benefits
that might accrue to them by virtue of the single action rule statute of
California, thereby agreeing that all indebtedness and obligations of the
parties, and all mortgages, liens and security interests securing such
indebtedness and obligations, shall remain fully valid and enforceable.  If any
such Dispute is not submitted to arbitration, the Dispute shall be referred to a
referee in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 et
seq., and this general reference agreement is intended to be specifically
enforceable in accordance with said Section 638.  A referee with the
qualifications required herein for arbitrators shall be selected pursuant to the
AAA's selection procedures.  Judgment upon the decision rendered by a referee
shall be entered in the court in which such proceeding was commenced in
accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 644 and 645.

    (g)  MISCELLANEOUS.  To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the
arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any
arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the Dispute with the
AAA.  No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the
existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by
a party required in the ordinary course of its business, by applicable law or
regulation, or to the extent necessary to exercise any judicial review rights
set forth herein.  If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the
parties potentially applies to a Dispute, the arbitration provision most
directly related to the Loan Documents or the subject matter of the Dispute
shall control.  This arbitration provision shall survive termination, amendment
or expiration of any of the Loan Documents or any relationship between the
parties.


                                         -28-
<PAGE>

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first written above.

                             WELLS FARGO BANK,
GUITAR CENTER, INC.           NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


By:                          By:
   -----------------------      -----------------------

Title:                       Title: 
      --------------------         --------------------


                                         -29-

<PAGE>

                                EXHIBIT 11
                           GUITAR CENTER, INC.
                  COMPUTATION OF INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


                              Quarter Ended          Nine Months Ended
                              September 30,           September 30,
                            ------------------      ------------------
                             1997        1996        1997        1996
                            ------      ------      ------      ------

Net income (loss)          $ 3,283     $   698     $ 3,684     $(74,066)

Weighted average shares
 outstanding                19,329      19,329      19,329       19,329
Common stock equivalents     1,406       1,091       1,208        1,091
                           -------     -------     -------     --------

Weighted average shares
 outstanding                20,735      20,420      20,537       20,420
                           -------     -------     -------     --------
                           -------     -------     -------     --------

Income (loss) per share    $  0.16     $  0.03     $  0.18     $  (3.63)
                           -------     -------     -------     --------
                           -------     -------     -------     --------


                              Quarter Ended          Nine Months Ended
                              September 30,           September 30,
                            ------------------      ------------------
                             1997        1996        1997        1996
                            ------      ------      ------      ------

Pro forma net income
 (loss)                    $ 2,194     $(2,831)    $(5,287)    $(78,426)

Weighted average shares
 outstanding                19,329      19,329      19,329       19,329
Common stock equivalents     1,406       1,091         -          1,091
                           -------     -------     -------     --------

Weighted average shares
 outstanding                20,735      20,420      19,329       20,420
                           -------     -------     -------     --------
                           -------     -------     -------     --------

Income (loss) per share    $  0.11     $ (0.14)    $ (0.27)    $  (3.84)
                           -------     -------     -------     --------
                           -------     -------     -------     --------


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,922
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,320
<ALLOWANCES>                                       150
<INVENTORY>                                     75,522
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                85,612
<PP&E>                                          32,515
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,843
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 113,309
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           29,146
<BONDS>                                         66,667
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           193
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,363
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   113,309
<SALES>                                        205,384
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               205,384
<CGS>                                          149,353
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,494
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   731<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,955
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,386
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,963
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,423
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  2,739<F2>
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,684
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>REPRESENTS PAYROLL TAXES IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONVERSION OF MANAGEMENTS
JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK INTO COMMON STOCK.
<F2>REPRESENTS, NET OF TAX, THE PREMIUM PAID ON REDEMPTION OF SENIOR NOTES PLUS THE
WRITE OFF OF ONE THIRD OF THE UNAMORTIZED DEFERRED FINANCING FEES.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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